Bridge inspection and maintenance are essential for ensuring the safety, longevity, and performance of transportation infrastructure. Regular inspections help identify signs of wear, damage, or structural issues that could compromise safety.

The use of specialized bridge inspection vehicles allows inspectors to access hard-to-reach areas and gather detailed data for accurate assessments.

In addition, the installation of Real-Time Structural Health Monitoring (RTSHM) equipment provides continuous, real-time data on a bridge’s condition, enabling proactive maintenance and early detection of potential problems. This technology enhances the efficiency of inspections and maintenance, helping to prevent costly failures and extend the lifespan of bridges.

Together, these advanced methods ensure the continued safety of travellers and minimize disruptions to transportation networks.

HiSCS has undertaken the coordination of onsite installation of RTSHM equipment for several road and railway bridges, spread all over Greece.

The project involves the installation of optical fiber sensors, accelerometers, thermometers, rain & water level sensors, cabling, and 5G cellular equipment, at 150 road and 100 railway bridges. The whole setup is powered through a system consisted of solar panels, batteries and charging controllers, leading to a fully autonomous configuration. The acquired data are transferred, in real time, to a platform through which they are introduced in state-of-the-art software to model, analyse and monitor each bridge’s behaviour under structural loads.